REVIEW: EAT A BOWL OF TEA (1989)

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Preface: Fitting somewhere between a romantic comedy and historical drama, I originally had thought of Eat a Bowl of Tea as being more or less fluff but I later realized it was much more sophisticated and well-executed than I originally gave it credit for. As I mention my original 2003 review of the DVD, it's also been a favorite of my students, not the least of which is because it's one of the rare Asian American films of the pre-'97 era that really dealt with with Asian American sex and romance. Personally, of Wang's Asian American quadrology, it probably isn't as poignant as Dim Sum but in terms of personal enjoyment, it comes in after Chan Is Missing.

THE REVIEW (originally published on Popmatters.com).

--O.W.